Ibaka missed practice, still probable for Game 3 though

Serge Ibaka sat out today’s practice for the Thunder today, resting the ankle he sprain at the end of Game 2’s win over the Grizzlies. Scott Brooks said Ibaka is day-to-day and the team has officially listed him as “probable” for Saturday’s Game 3 in Memphis.

Ibaka bumped knees earlier in the game and missed the start of the second half, but there wasn’t any kind of lingering effect from that.

Obviously Ibaka’s health is absolutely vital to the Thunder’s chances. He’s leading the playoffs with 4.4 blocks per game. He’s averaging a double-double in the postseason with 10.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

Ibaka said after Game 2 that he was fine and with the multiple days off that he should be good for Saturday’s game.

justin :You know, as much as I try to like Perkins and what he brings to the team, I can’t help but look at his 4.6 playoff PER, his 110 DRTG (worst on the team in the playoffs), the fact that the defense in the playoffs has been seven points better per 100 possessions with Perkins OFF the court, his 44.6% TS, his outrageously high turnover rate, etc. and wonder if we could have gotten someone better to put next to Ibaka.I mean, his DRTG was acceptable in the regular season, but this stuff is troubling. I’d feel a lot better right now if we had waited to give Perkins that extension.

Has me concerned too. Im not sure the extension was necessary before the end of the year.

I'd like to see okc acquire another late 1st or early second round pick. some surprisingly nice value there in a generally weak draft I think...klay thompson from wsu is someone who is really flying under the radar...led the pac 10 in scoring, similar skill set to harden. harper from richmond would be nice as well. getting a couple of guys like that could help ease the scoring distribution if harden gets the starting nod.

The thing I'm worried about isn't so much Perkins, but whether we can afford to keep Ibaka and Harden. I know we'll be able to keep at least one of them, but two may be a stretch depending on how much of a leap they experience next year.

Perkins was not my first choice for center upgrade. He will be a great defensive player should he regain most of his pre-injury capabilities, but the high turnovers, and possibly low scoring efficiency (in our offense) might remain.

justin :Maybe I’m worrying too much because he’s clearly not 100% but if we don’t get 2009-2010 Kendrick Perkins back next year and for the next four seasons, I think we’ll all be wondering who else we could have gotten.

healthy Perk is a beast. I watched some of his games back in 2009 and he erases pretty much anyone driving into the lane.

justin :Maybe I’m worrying too much because he’s clearly not 100% but if we don’t get 2009-2010 Kendrick Perkins back next year and for the next four seasons, I think we’ll all be wondering who else we could have gotten.

He will be fine. He is just 10 months removed from an ACL, MCL, and PCL tear. Takes a lot of players 1 year of playing time after recovery to get back to 100% and feeling good.

Tom Brady tore his ACL and MCL in 2008 and was out for 1 year, his first year back he was not the same, and it wasn't until this past year he was looking like the old Brady. Which was 2 years recovery time.

Tony Allen tore his ACL and MCL in 2007, and hasn't been the same, although this year he has been close to where he used to be.

I'm guessing next year Perk will be around 90%, and in the 2012-2013 season he should be as close to 100% as he will get.

Maybe I'm worrying too much because he's clearly not 100% but if we don't get 2009-2010 Kendrick Perkins back next year and for the next four seasons, I think we'll all be wondering who else we could have gotten.

You know, as much as I try to like Perkins and what he brings to the team, I can't help but look at his 4.6 playoff PER, his 110 DRTG (worst on the team in the playoffs), the fact that the defense in the playoffs has been seven points better per 100 possessions with Perkins OFF the court, his 44.6% TS, his outrageously high turnover rate, etc. and wonder if we could have gotten someone better to put next to Ibaka.

I mean, his DRTG was acceptable in the regular season, but this stuff is troubling. I'd feel a lot better right now if we had waited to give Perkins that extension.

probably, but you never know. he could buy into the role like ginobli. fun to think about, but I don't think they could afford all of those guys anyway. the best option is still to trade thabo, start harden. try to acquire some bench scoring through the draft or a cheaper free agent. the way harden is playing defense thabo is just expendable at this point.

In all seriousness, I do think Nate and Royal being suited up holds some value. They really do bring an energy to the team from the bench. The guys seem to feed off of it too. But putting them in suits might diminish their fun and activity.

I think Nate rob is going to stay activated. Can you imagine the emotional lift it would be to the rest of the team to see their designated towel-waver knock down a couple threes in memphis? That's the kind of thing that can break an opponent's back.

My guess would be a respect thing. I think being a former role player gives Brooks some insight into the psyche of those players. He seems to go out of his way to avoid slighting a player. At least that is what I tell myself when I wondered why Harden was not starting, especially when our opponent didnt have any strong wing scorers.